I understand the mechanism of fatigue reduction. Wasn't the question I was trying to ask.. although I do think you pointed out an interesting fact - going over 50 fatigue I believe induced the AI to use a gem.
Here's the test I need.
E2 Mage: Can he burn an e gem to cast Curse of stones = )
IIRC Curse of Stones is 3E/300 fatigue, so the answer is no. However, an E1S1 mage like in your first post could do Summon Earthpower/Power of the Spheres/Curse of Stones. Without POTS it's a no-go.
Sorry, my brain wasn't working right. I was thinking "E2" meant "E1 after casting Summon Earthpower with 1 gem." Of course if he is a natural E2 he can do Summon Earthpower/Curse of Stones without needing any POTS at all.
-Max
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Bauchelain - "Qwik Ben iz uzin wallhax! HAX!"
Quick Ben - "lol pwned"
["Memories of Ice", by Steven Erikson. Retranslated into l33t.]